In 2018 we were warmly welcomed to St Gerrans on the Roseland by Revd Jill Edwards and treated to an inspiring talk by Dr Stuart Blaylock on 13^th century architecture in Cornish churches. This is a period well known to be lean on complete examples in our region, but Stuart was able to piece together the progress from the Romanesque period through to the beginning of the Decorated period showing us what remains there are in several churches. He also illustrated how the church morphed in design from each of the bookend periods at either end of the 13^th century. Gerrans proved to be an excellent example of what still survives with a triple lancet window in the 13^th century north transept, and two single lancets in the north wall (now kitchen area. There is also a Purbeck marble font with arcade designs of probable 1200s date and a coffin-shaped tomb slab of the 13^th or early 14^th century.

Examples from outside of the county had to be drawn on but the very best example here in Cornwall of Early English architecture was three miles down the road at St Anthony in Roseland. The 2017 lunch had been held at Place House which is attached to this church and this was where Dr Jo Mattingly had pointed out the crucifix plan and high-quality carvings of foliage, corbel heads of kings and bearded men adorning the crossing below the 13^th Century Tower.

Stuart Blaylock handout for 2018 CHCT AGM

St Anthony in Roseland